Performance Nutrition for Residents and Fellows

Performance Nutrition for Residents and Fellows Working Overnight Shifts: A Pilot Study

Currently, residents commonly experience dehydration and poor nutrition during nighttime duty hours as a result of heavy work load, lack of time to take nutrition and hydration breaks, or limited or no access to healthy food and drinks which may affect residents' work performance. The goal of this study is to compare the effects of two different meal compositions with no typical dietary practices (existing conditions) on work performance of the on-call residents during night shifts.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of dietary modifications on resident physicians' work performance during night shifts.

Specific objectives are:

1. To assess the effects of macronutrient composition of the test meals on cognitive performance, self-reported sleepiness and fatigue of resident physicians during night-time duty.
2. To compare to no intervention, the effects of providing meals before 22:00 hours, and only providing chewing gum, tea, coffee and water onwards to on-call residents, on cognitive performance, self-reported sleepiness and fatigue of resident physicians during night-time duty.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All residents and fellows performing in hospital overnight work
• Must be able to eat plant source foods (e.g. soy, nuts, seeds) and animal source foods (e.g. meat, eggs, dairy products)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Food allergies or sensitivities
• Prior anaphylactic reaction to food
• Strict dietary restrictions (e.g. vegan, gluten free)